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“I’m back! Did you forget about me?(Lol) A quick recap!

 

In the Temple of Eternity, Kai, inheriting the light of Lancelot, finally faces off against the leader of the God-Destruction Cult, Merlin. Thanks to Kai’s valiant efforts, Merlin is defeated, and the world is saved from its dire situation. Peace arrives, but immediately after, the world is enveloped in true darkness. A black Cube, released from beneath the headquarters of the World Dungeon Association, and the one who released it was none other than the Association’s representative and Merlin’s disciple, Vivian. The Dungeon Association, created to gather magic stones from around the world to release the Cubes, finally fulfills her long-held wish.

 

Right after that, only Kai is enveloped in a Golden Cube. When he wakes up, the world has already ended.

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Thank you for waiting so long! Now, let’s begin the final chapter.

 

Surrounded by glittering golden walls, as if melted gold, Kai finds himself enclosed.

 

For just a few seconds, unable to do anything, Kai can only stand in a daze.

 

Kai: “…What is this? Was that Athena’s voice just now?”

 

The box slowly opens, revealing the world to Kai once more. The quiet opening of the box, the dim light of an overcast sky slowly seeping in. But the happy everyday life that was there just moments ago is nowhere to be found.

 

Kai: “…Huh?”

 

The drastically changed world stands before Kai.

 

As if in a world that has ended, Kai stands alone.

 

Without understanding anything, not even knowing where he is.

 

Once again, he stands in this world.

 

◇Kai’s Perspective

 

Kai: “What is this?”

 

I couldn’t understand. Just moments ago, I thought maybe today would be the day I finally cross that line with Aya, but what is this?

 

The Golden Cube that trapped me was definitely the same as during that divine trial. I heard Athena’s voice last, but what was that all about?

 

Kai: “Ruins? No, what is this place? A village?”

 

I was in a peaceful village, but now it’s more like ruins. The buildings are almost all destroyed, and it doesn’t seem like a place where people live. I feel a sense of nostalgia, but where exactly is this?

 

Kai: “First, I should use Lightning to reach Aya—…!?”

 

I tried to use the power of Lightning to jump to Aya’s shadow.

But I couldn’t. To be precise, the option in my mind of who to jump to when using Lightning was gone.

And then, as if to inform me of the error, my skill “Lightning” had a new message.

 

Kai: “It’s been too long since the last time… Huh?”

 

The message made no sense to me. I check my smartphone in my pocket.

 

Kai: “No signal… well, it does look like the countryside.”

 

But as expected, there’s no signal and no antennas in sight. I wonder what to do and decide to explore the village for now.

 

Kai: “I feel like I’ve seen this place before… It’s hard to tell because it’s so run-down… Hello? Is anyone there?”

 

I call out loudly. But there’s no reply; it really seems to be ruins. Why was I suddenly transported to a place like this?

 

Kai: “Athena-san, if you can hear me, please answer!”

 

Again, no response from Athena.

 

Kai: “—Lightning.”

 

Zap.

 

It seems like I can use my skills normally. But when I try to jump to someone’s shadow, it says it’s been too long and I can’t use the skill.

 

Kai: “Hmm… what to do…”

 

As I explore the ruined village, probably at its center, there’s a rusty prefab hut. A perfect square, as if enclosing something.

 

Kai: “…Huh?”

 

The moment I see it, I understand where I am.

 

Kai: “Could this be… Yonaki Village!?”

 

Vroom!

 

That’s when it happened. A loud noise from behind, the sound of a vehicle, an engine breaking through branches and bushes, heading my way.

 

Kai: “What!?”

 

A military vehicle, like a buggy, disregards any road traffic laws, scattering obstacles, and heading unmistakably in my direction.

 

Kai: “Wait, what? What’s this?”

 

As I stand in shock, an even more unbelievable sight follows.

 

Kai: “Magic beasts? Dungeon collapse? Stampede?”

 

About a hundred magic beasts are chasing the buggy with full force. Among them are what appear to be king-tier beasts, incredibly powerful. I wonder if there’s been a dungeon collapse somewhere, but it seems like the buggy is being chased. While I stand dumbfounded, the buggy doesn’t slow down as it approaches.

 

Then, the driver leans out of the window and shouts at me.

 

Driver: “Get in!!!”

 

The person driving, wearing goggles like a windbreak and what seemed like a military uniform, called out with such desperation that I judged them to be a friend and got into the stopped buggy.

 

Driver: “Hold on! I’m going to drive at full speed!!”

Kai: “Whoa!?”

 

The moment I got in, the driver floored the accelerator. The four-wheel buggy sped off down a country road that wasn’t paved with asphalt. But the magic beasts were still chasing us, and it might only be a matter of time before they catch us.

 

Kai: “What’s happening?! Is this a dungeon collapse!?”

 

I desperately asked while clinging to the car, having no idea what was going on.

 

Driver: “I’m glad. You really did appear today. I was a bit doubtful. It’s good you came to me.”

 

The person spoke while driving. The voice sounded familiar, and though I couldn’t tell because of the military uniform and goggles, it seemed to be a woman. Perhaps around university age, close to my age, I guessed.

 

Kai: “Um, I don’t really understand what you’re talking about…”

 

Driver: “We don’t have time to talk slowly, but since it’s the last time, let me be a bit selfish… It’s been a while, Kai.”

 

Kai: “Huh? Have we met before?”

 

Driver: “Hehe, you really haven’t changed at all since that day. I’ve wanted to see you for so long, and I finally caught up to you.”

 

The person took off their goggles and smiled at me. That smile, somewhat familiar, resembling someone.

The smile was definitely in my memories.

Definitely there, but crucially different.

Yet my mind was trying to connect this person with that girl.

 

Kai: “What, no way. Eh?”

 

I was at a loss for words. Just a little while ago when we last met, she was still in middle school. But now, she had the face of an adult woman while retaining traces of that girl.

 

The childishness had vanished, replaced by the aura of a beautiful woman.

A grown woman’s body, having finished her growth spurt around university age.

 

Driver: “Yes, Kai… Do you remember? The last words we exchanged that day. You said you’d meet me when I grew up.”

 

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“I’ll grow up more! Then, will you meet me again?”

“Yeah, I look forward to it. You seem like you’ll be a good friend for Nagi. Let’s meet again someday!”

＊

 

I recalled the words I had said long ago. Yes, I definitely said them, but I never imagined it would turn out like this.

 

Kai: “No way… Could it be… Na, Na, …”

 

Driver: “Yes! I’ve been in love with you since I was 13, and now at 18, I’ve grown this much! So, Kai! Compared to back then…”

 

The middle school girl, once so innocent, had grown to be the same age as me. And now, with a slightly bewitching air, she looked at me and said,

 

Driver: “─How do I look as a woman?”

Kai: “Nagisa-chan!!??”

 

The girl, Imai Nagisa, whom I once saved from an orc when she was 13.

 

But now she says she’s 18.

 

Meaning, it seems I’ve come to a future five years later.